Arise!

"I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house." Mark 2:11 (ASV)

This was Jesus' command to a man who was paralyzed for many years. In fact, the paralytic man's friends lowered the mat he was laying on through the roof's opening of the house where Jesus was ministering since they could not go through the front door. The paralytic man's friends were committed to get him to Jesus. Thank God for compassionate and caring friends such as these. When he got there, one would think that Jesus would lay hands on him or even say a prayer. But no! Jesus, who saw the faith of his friends ,simply said a word: "Arise!"
At first, you might think that Jesus was being harsh towards the man. However, I am learning that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is very intentional. Every word ,that proceeds out of His mouth, serves a purpose.
In the Webster dictionary, the verb " to arise" means:

"to come up from a lower to a higher position ; to come up from one's bed or place of repose; to act a part, to become operative."

This revelation blessed me tremendously because Jesus not only intended to heal the man but our Lord wanted him to become an active participant of the healing he was longing for. Hallelujah!
I don't know about you but I experienced a lot of trials in 2011 that left me paralyzed. I found myself in chains that bound my health, my finances, my mind and my soul. I also know that I am not alone. So many of us are battling incredible tribulations that are keeping us in spiritual bondage. Whatever our situation may be, Jesus is telling us today: "Arise!"
The same Jesus, who lives in us through his Holy Spirit is empowering to do two things:

1) To take up our mat: These are all the problems, tribulations and limitations that are preventing us from moving forward. Jesus is inviting us to leave "this mat" at the foot of  His cross and He will handle it.

2) To go to our house: We have to make a conscious decision to rise above our heartaches, depression, pity parties, failures, disappointments in order for us to reach a place where Victory is awaiting us. This is achieved by trusting in the power of the Great Healer and Divine Physician, Jesus. Nothing more, Nothing less.

I am a living witness that the things mentioned above are not easy to do but they are necessary if we want to overcome. Fortunately for us, we can cry out to our Heavenly Father and confess the Word of God  like the prophet Isaiah did:

"but Yahweh will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you." Isaiah 60: 2 (ASV)

Today, my dear sister or brother in Christ, I am asking you to touch and agree with me  and believe that God will arise over us despite of the difficulties we are facing right now.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the King of Glory, strong and mighty. Nothing is too hard for you. We come before you today as your dear children in Christ Jesus. Father God, please Arise on our lives! Arise on our spiritual life! Arise on our prayer time! Arise on our health! Arise on our finances! Arise on our workplaces! Arise on our businesses! Arise on our family and loved ones! Arise on our relationships! Arise on everything which concerns us! May you restore us to a place of healing and Victory! In Jesus most powerful Name, we pray. Amen!

May your life be a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God !

Abi